CCMIA Restructures to meet Current Challenges in the Canadian Music Industry

REGINA, 27 July 2010 – The Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations (CCMIA), composed of 10 provincial and territorial music industry associations, announced today, a corporate restructuring designed to more effectively address current issues faced by the Canadian music industry. The restructuring includes the induction of a new executive team.

The members of the CCMIA — Music Newfoundland and Labrador, Music Nova Scotia, Music Prince Edward Island, Music New Brunswick, Music and Film in Motion (Northern Ontario), Manitoba Music, SaskMusic, Alberta Music, Music B.C. and Music Yukon – together represent more than 5,000 registered members and an additional 3,000 associated members. All are actively engaged in the music industry and include artists, managers, publicists, agents, educators, promoters and other music industry entrepreneurs.

The CCMIA is the national voice for its members and, through its members the thousands of Canadians who contribute to Canada’s artistic and cultural diversity with a positive economic impact on the Canadian economy of hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Technological advancements have profoundly affected the music business model. This has rendered services and assistance, historically provided by major music labels, no longer available to Canadian artists. The members of the CCMIA are filling this void by offering extensive day-to-day advice, assistance, support, programs and services to music industry entrepreneurs (both artists and service providers) throughout Canada.

“Currently proposed amendments to copyright legislation present challenges and opportunities to ever-changing digital marketing platforms and processes,” said J.P. Ellson, CCMIA Chair. “There is a tremendous need for standardization in training of cultural workers, and it is time for Canadian music industry artists and professionals to be heard on a national stage. CCMIA provides that united voice for the industry.”

“Our members are a crucial element for a stable diversified national economy and as such they require and deserve a national voice,” added Vice-Chair Bob D’Eith.

The CCMIA, originally incorporated in 2002, is embarking on a series of initiatives and projects that will assist its thousands of members and through them improve the diversification and stability of the Canadian economy.